Which Wireless Card???

[D&DDisney]

I have an old laptop Toshiba Satellite Pro 4600 running Windows 2000 Op System.

We are going camping this summer and the campground has free Wi-Fi. I would like to get a wireless card for this laptop so that I can acess the internet while on vacation.
Since I have never bought a wireless card before I am not sure what to look for or what I need. Went to Best Buy site and found that some need a router to go with the card, etc. Now I am confused.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[D&DDisney]

bump in hopes of getting some help.

 

[M&N]

I wish I knew the answer for you. I usually try and help as much as I can here.
I'm only responing to get my post count up.

 

[Imzadi]

Do you already have internet service? Since the campground has free Wi-Fi, you might only need a generic PCMCIA PC card that fits into a wide, flat slot in your laptop or one of those new thingies that go into the USB port. Then it would connect to the campground's internet service or you could connect to and log on to your own internet service account.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PC_Card

I don't think you need a router for the connection. I *think* the router already IS the campground's Wi-Fi. You can always test it out to see if it works by going to a Starbucks or McDonalds that has free Wi-Fi, once you get the card installed.

You won't need to pay for extra Wi-Fi service from a provider like AT&T which then sells/gives you their "Connect card" for their monthly service.

Does that make sense?

 

[mikehn]

I would use the free wifi if I were you. You dont want to get a wireless card just for the camping trip. They will probably make you sign a commitment, and that will not be worthwhile, just for a camping trip.

 

[Inigo]

You need a wireless access card only. It will act as the modem on the computer, connecting it to the Wi-Fi offered at the campground (or at Starbucks, Applebees, etc).

You do not need a router, as the campground's Wi-Fi service comes off their router.

To see what you need, go to http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0503004&type=category .

You don't have to buy one of these, but it will give you an idea of what you need to purchase. You might find the same product elsewhere for cheaper.

 

[Inigo]

Here's a link to wireless USB devices which will connect you to an existing wireless network. You could get these instead of the cards I mentioned in the previous post.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0503007&type=category

 

[Imzadi]

You need a wireless access card only. It will act as the modem on the computer, connecting it to the Wi-Fi offered at the campground (or at Starbucks, Applebees, etc).

You do not need a router, as the campground's Wi-Fi service comes off their router.

To see what you need, go to http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=abcat0503004&type=category .

You don't have to buy one of these, but it will give you an idea of what you need to purchase. You might find the same product elsewhere for cheaper.

Yep, that is the PCMCIA card card I mentioned. It was cheaper back in the day when it was called that instead of a wireless access card. I think I only paid $29 for mine.

 

[D&DDisney]

Thanks everyone! Wasn't sure exactly what to ask for (wireless card vs PC card)
This really helps.

 

[mill4023]

If the laptop has a USB port, any USB wireless adapter should also work.
Something like this:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7012485&type=product&id=1099392876384